McKessick History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland

The many centuries old Dalriadan-Scottish name McKessick comes from the personal name Isaac. The Gaelic forms of the name are Mac Isaac or Mac Iosaig, both of which mean son of Isaac. 1

Early Origins of the McKessick family

The surname McKessick was first found in Inverness, where one of the first records of the family was in 1476 when "the lands of Ardere in the barony of Clastray were resigned by Mariot, daughter of Molmoria M'Kesek." 1

Spelling variations for the family are quite varied: Mackessack, Mackissack, Mackissock, Mackissek, Makesaig (1592), Makkessake (1591), McKisack (1684) and many more.

In 1496, Donald Makessaig was recorded at Kilmun and he is probably the Donald McEsayg recorded in 1511. "John M'Intheir was convicted in 1623 for letting M'Keissik's 'bairnis the for hunger' in Breadalbane (BRT., p. 379 -there was probably a famine). Marion MacKissock was resident in the parish of Boyne, 1684, Elspet M'Kissick in Relliclone, parish of Madertie, 1658 (Dunkeld)." 1

Early History of the McKessick family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McKessick research. Another 156 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1685 and 1871 are included under the topic Early McKessick History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McKessick Spelling Variations

Spelling and translation were not standardized practices until the last few centuries. Spelling variations are extremely common among early Scottish names. McKessick has been spelled MacIsaac, MacIsaack, Kissock and others.

Early Notables of the McKessick family

More information is included under the topic Early McKessick Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the McKessick family

Many who arrived from Scotland settled along the east coast of North America in communities that would go on to become the backbones of the young nations of the United States and Canada. In the American War of Independence, many settlers who remained loyal to England went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. Their descendants later began to recover the lost Scottish heritage through events such as the highland games that dot North America in the summer months. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the McKessick family emigrate to North America: Murdoch McIsaac who settled in New England in 1685; Malcolm MacIsaac settled in New York in 1775. In Newfoundland Dougal MacIsaac settled in Sandy Point in 1870.

Citations +

Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)